Sabreur's Genius
The bomb exploded the instant it touched the boiling magma. An explosion rocked the cave, sending gouts of magma into the air. Shi'tri cringed and in an instant all the elements had manifested.
"What the heck did you let her DO?!" Shi'mio screeched.
"This could be very bad… keep the island safe everyone," Shi'eus said as the thundering roar of fire and explosives reverberated across the chamber.
The elements grouped together, watching carefully. I knelt by the edge and peered over. The lava was still erupting and falling back from the explosion. Chunks of rock had started to fall from the ceiling.
"Get back," Shi'kit hissed and pulled me away from the edge by one arm.
Shi'mio was watching the falling rock all around us carefully.
"Oh no," she breathed as one boulder the size of a car smashed into the wall, "It's ruptured a gas pocket."
There were various expressions of consternation from the elements.
"Nice job, Kiddo," Shi'viv snapped, scooping me up in his arms.
I let out a squawk of protest as he flew up into the air, flying higher until he was up near the furthest most corner of the Forge. Below us I could see gouts of fire leaping into the air. The explosion was apparently over.
"It didn't work," I said sadly, struggling against Shi'viv holding me in the air.
"The bomb didn't create an upheaval, as you were apparently wanting. But it did rupture the stone between the Forge and an underground gas pocket. Now hold still unless you want me to drop you."
I fell still and waited. A gout of flame licked near the new break in the wall of the Forge. Something ignited.
There was a deafening roar and I screamed, grabbing hold of Shi'viv's shoulder. I could feel waves of heat rushing over me as explosions reverberated across the Forge. This was much, much larger than the firebomb. Everywhere was the sound of splitting and falling rock. The place shook and gouts of magma shot high into the air, some even nearing us. I closed my eyes and prayed Shi'viv could keep me safe.
Suddenly there was a sound like an approaching tornado. I opened my eyes again and stared at the bottom of the forge. The magma and water were swirling together at the exact center of the Forge. Soon wind joined it, and earth, chunks of rock spinning into the mix. Light and dark danced across the whirling mass of raw power. Then it exploded upwards in a beam of pure magic, smashing into the island and continuing on to the top of the Forge. The entire area was shaking as if it would fall apart on top of our heads. Slowly it died away, slowly the Forge returned to equilibrium. I was shaking and the adrenalin was pouring through my veins. The island was still there.
Shi'viv flew down to its surface and dropped me at the edge, hurrying forwards to meet with the other elements who had appeared. Aldrai lay in the center of the island, blinking. His prison was gone. The upheaval that had created the crystal had been undone by yet another upheaval.
Aldrai hissed and leapt into the air, shooting upwards on his Darigan wings.
"Aldrai!" I cried, standing and watching his flight.
"Com'n, we've got to stop him!" Shi'eus cried and changed.
One by one they transformed into the creatures they were when I had fought them so long ago in the realm of the Shadows. A winged snake of fire. A water dragon. A beast of stone. A lightning bird. And Shi'tri became an immense shadow wolf and Shi'kly a white lioness.
They split up, each taking to the air on wings that they either had to begin with or grew. Aldrai remained in the center of the cavern and watched them come. Shi'eus neared him first. Aldrai gestured and a bolt of light magic struck the fire snake head on. It shook its head and Aldrai gestured again. The light magic wrapped around the snake and threw it aside. It fell and vanished into the magma, only to appear a few minutes later. Aldrai by then was fighting the other elements.
"Aldrai! Stop!" I cried.
I had not just risked everything for my pet to loose him to the magic again.
He seemed to not notice me. An explosion from the fighting elements and Aldrai rocked the cavern once again. I lost my balance and toppled from the edge. I managed to catch myself on an outcropping stone, my arms straining to hold myself up. Below me was magma.
"Aldrai!" I cried again, with true desperation in my voice.
I looked down and swallowed hard. I could not fall. Shi'viv probably wouldn't catch me this time.
Suddenly there was a flash of light and I felt someone grab my hand.
"Kiddo… hang on…" a very familiar voice whispered.
I let go of the rock and held onto Aldrai, my heart filled with joy for the first time since coming underground. The elements stayed back for a moment, seeing that things had changed now. That I had truly thrown my lot in with Aldrai.
"I can't fight them off. We're getting out of here."
"Are you in control of the light magic?" I asked.
He hesitated.
"Yes. I am. Because of you."
And he flew. Straight up, his power building around him. Solid stone parted before him and he soared up out of the Forge, through the earth. The shifting veil of Aldrai's magic was all around us as he carried us up out of the earth to burst through into brilliant Neopian sunlight. I gasped as the unaccustomed sunlight burned my eyes. Aldrai landed then and let go of me. I wiped away tears and knelt before him.
"I'm so sorry Kiddo," he said, trying to avoid my glance.
I gently lifted his chin so that he looked me in the eyes.
"It's okay. You're free now."
"But I don't deserve it… I can hardly remember what I did when I was controlled by sheer magic… but I do remember I hurt people."
"Aldrai. Look at me. I gave up the Essence so that you could be free. You're not going to wallow in self-pity, alright? You're going to come home and be my pet from now on."
He slowly nodded, his own eyes filled with tears.
"Now, why don't you change back to spotted?" I said with a soft smile.
He shook his head violently.
"No. I lost my angel wings because I took my power as a gift, a right, instead of a responsibility. I will keep the Darigan color to remind myself to never lose control again."
He looked at me fiercely, determination shining in his eyes. It was then I remembered something very important.
"Sabreur! And the rest!" I cried, leaping to my feet, "they're still underground."
Aldrai laughed then.
"They're coming. I can sense it. Just give them a couple days… apparently they've figured out it's time to head to the surface."
I smiled and scooped up my pet, hugging him close.
"Welcome home," was all I said.